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Kiel cheese factory celebrates 100 years of tradition

HTR Media
5:46 p.m. CDT July 2, 2014

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Zachary Henning adds the third batch of salt to coat each nugget of cheddar during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014.(Photo: Sue Pischke/HTR Media)Buy Photo

The factory began by making 500 to 1,000 pounds of cheese a day, and today Henning's produces about 16,000 pounds daily with help from 30 to 40 employees and larger equipment.

"The equipment has changed only in that we can process more cheese at a given time," Henning said. "It still takes us just as long to make a pound of cheese today as it did my grandpa. You can't rush cheese making."

Henning's makes four types of cheeses: cheddar, colby, Monterey Jack and mozzarella. Sizes of cheese can range from 13-ounce blocks to wheels weighing as much as 12,000 pounds.

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Zachary Henning adds the third batch of salt to coat each nugget of cheddar during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Graham Achter, 3, from St. Cloud, Wis., carries aged cheddar cheese as he helps his mom buy cheese inside the store at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Wim VanderGraaf, foreground, stacks a 38 pound wooden flat full of hatch pepper cheddar cheese that he and Mike Cieslewicz, background, just waxed and placed in a traditional flat during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

From left, Scott Kautzer and Joseph Prange flip slabs of cheddar cheese during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Master Cheese Maker Kerry Henning poses in the drying cooler with stacks a 21 pound wheels of cheddar and hatch pepper cheddar cheese during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Michelle Henning (hands background) packages up fresh two tone cheddar cheese curds during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Ryan Loose watches the scale as he removes a handful of cheddar cheese nuggets so that the wheel form tops off at 20 pounds during the cheddar cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Joseph Prange, right, rolls 20 pound wheel forms of cheddar cheese to the end of the conveyer that will be added to the row on the left for overnight pressing during the cheddar cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Scott Kautzer slides 40 pound block forms of two tone cheddar cheese to the row before setting them up for overnight pressing during the cheddar cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Packaged block cheese in the store cooler at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Close-up of Mango Fire cheddar block cheese in the store cooler at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Employees package up fresh two tone cheddar cheese curds during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Employees package up fresh two tone cheddar cheese curds during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Employees package up fresh two tone cheddar cheese curds during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

From left, Scott Kautzer and Joseph Prange flip slabs of cheddar cheese during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

From left, Joseph Prange and Scott Kautzer feed slabs of cheddar cheese through a curd mill during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

From left, Joseph Prange and Scott Kautzer feed slabs of cheddar cheese through a curd mill during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Zachary Henning adds the third batch of salt to coat each nugget of cheddar during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Zachary Henning adds the third batch of salt to coat each nugget of cheddar during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Zachary Henning adds the third batch of salt to coat each nugget of cheddar during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Ryan Loose sets a wheel form on the scale during the cheddar cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Master Cheese Maker Kerry Henning loads a 40 pound block form of two tone cheddar cheese during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Master Cheese Maker Kerry Henning loads a 40 pound block form of two tone cheddar cheese during the cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Scott Kautzer slides 40 pound block forms of two tone cheddar cheese to the row before setting them up for overnight pressing during the cheddar cheese making process inside the cheese factory at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Packaged block cheese in the store cooler at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Close-up of Two Tone cheddar block cheese in the store cooler at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Packaged block cheese in the store cooler at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Graham Achter, 3, from St. Cloud, Wis., carries aged cheddar cheese as he helps his mom buy cheese inside the store at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Graham Achter, 3, from St. Cloud, Wis., carries aged cheddar cheese as he helps his mom buy cheese inside the store at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Graham Achter, 3, from St. Cloud, Wis., gets out a sample a cheddar cheese curd inside the store at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Graham Achter, 3, from St. Cloud, Wis., samples a cheddar cheese curd inside the store at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Graham Achter, 3, from St. Cloud, Wis., samples a cheddar cheese curd inside the store at Henning's Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel. Henning's is a fourth generation family owned business that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

Henning's Wisconsin Cheese is a fourth generation family owned cheese factory in rural Kiel that is celebrating their 100th anniversary of making award-winning cheese. The cheese factory features a cheese store, museum, large viewing windows to watch the cheese making process and cheese sampling. Sue Pischke/HTR Media. Photo taken on Monday, June 23, 2014. Sue Pischke/HTR Media

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"We're the last company in the country that really makes those wheels that are 300 pounds and bigger," Henning said of the cheeses that are sold nationwide. "And that makes us a little bit unique in that way."

But one notable change within the last decade was the addition of dozens of cheese flavors ranging from blueberry cobbler and mango fire, to garlic and dill, and hatch pepper.

"Just like we see a lot of different flavors in wine…we've experienced the same thing in the cheese business, where consumers are wanting to try different things," Henning said. "Right now it's the flavors that are really driving our business. Most of our flavors come from ideas and inspirations from other people."

Henning says that as a cheesemaker, you have to expect ups and downs throughout the years. So what makes it all worth it?